How to select the best meat & cheese board

Having the right pairing technique of cheese and meat could be what makes a dinner go from average to exceptional. At Vintage Wine Bar & Bistro, our expansive tapas menu includes a pick 4 or pick 6 custom meat and cheese board menu. If you are looking for a restaurant in Farmingdale, Vintage Wine Bar & Bistro is the perfect choice for artisanal tapas dishes.

Selecting a meat and cheese board can be a daunting task but with the right knowledge, can lead to a spectacular dining experience. Here are some tips for pairing cheeses with your meat selection.

Pairing with Whole Muscle Meats

Whole muscle meats refer to animal meat directly derived from the animal without alteration in texture. These meats are sliced very thin and trimmed of fat. Capacollo and Prosciutto are two types of whole muscle meats on our menu.

When pairing with either Capacollo or Prosciutto, the acidity and texture of the cheese do matter. Great cheeses that pair with these meats include:

These cheeses pair well with thinly sliced meats like Capacollo and Prosciutto as they contrast both in texture and acidity.

Pairing with Encased Meats

Like salami, encased meats are usually fermented in a humid environment often times with black pepper, red pepper, and fennel. Our encased meat selection includes:

Soppressata

Salami

Pepperoni

Chorizo

These 4 types of meats all offer varied flavor i.e. Soppressata is spicy and Salami is more smokey in flavor. These hard meats pair well with creamier cheeses as the texture provides a great contrast. Some recommended cheeses include:

Creamy Havarti

Creamy Gorgonzola

Brie

Burrata

Gouda

Conclusively, whenever you want to make your cheese and meat board, always keep in mind contrasting texture and sweetness. Also, cheese and meat pairings are often a personal preference so testing different combinations out is a great way of learning more. If you are looking for a restaurant in Farmingdale to make a charcuterie board, make a reservation at Vintage Wine Bar & Bistro today!